Proportional mortality: A study of 152 goats submitted for necropsy from 13 goat herds in Quebec, with a special focus on caseous lymphadenitis

• Published in: Canadian veterinary journal Vol. 54; no. 6; pp. 581 - 587
• Main Authors: Debien, Elaine, Hélie, Pierre, Buczinski, Sébastien, Lebœuf, Anne, Bélanger, Denise, Drolet, Richard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada Canadian Veterinary Medical Association 01.06.2013
• Subjects: Abscess - epidemiology; Abscess - microbiology; Abscess - pathology; Abscess - veterinary; Animals; Clostridium Infections - epidemiology; Clostridium Infections - mortality; Clostridium Infections - pathology; Clostridium Infections - veterinary; Clostridium perfringens; Corynebacterium Infections - epidemiology; Corynebacterium Infections - microbiology; Corynebacterium Infections - mortality; Corynebacterium Infections - veterinary; Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis - isolation & purification; Enterotoxemia - epidemiology; Enterotoxemia - microbiology; Enterotoxemia - mortality; Enterotoxemia - pathology; Female; Goat Diseases - epidemiology; Goat Diseases - mortality; Goat Diseases - pathology; Goats; Lymphadenitis - epidemiology; Lymphadenitis - mortality; Lymphadenitis - pathology; Lymphadenitis - veterinary; Male; Quebec - epidemiology; Scientific; Quebec
• ISSN: 0008-5286

The objectives of this study were to determine the main causes of mortality, with a special focus on caseous lymphadenits as a cause of death or wasting in caprine herds from Quebec. Goats (n = 152) from 13 herds were submitted for necropsy; the cause of mortality, and the presence, location, and cause of abscesses (if present) were recorded. Proportional mortalities were distributed as: Clostridium perfringens type D enterotoxemia (17.1%), pneumonia (13.8%), paratuberculosis (10.5%), listeriosis (6.6%), pregnancy toxemia (5.3%), caprine arthritis-encephalitis (4.6%), and caseous lymphadenitis (3.9%). Caseous lymphadenitis was diagnosed in 24.3% of the submitted goats, but was not a major cause of wasting or mortality. Abscesses were localized internally in 54.1% of the cases. Paratuberculosis was diagnosed in 29 goats (16 as cause of death) and was considered a major cause of wasting and/or mortality.